Unlike a couple of the other reviewers I can easily accept this effort of Adam (Pernell Roberts) on behalf of the perceived underdog, or rather the odd man out, as part of his particular idealism. He took the same stance with another new acquaintance played by charming murderer Rory Calhoun in an October 1964 episode. His explanation was that Rory's rule-breaking outlaw was "one of a kind" and that was enough for him.
I can see why in retrospect Pernell Roberts later regretted leaving "Bonanza" after six series (with seven and a half still to go). As Michael Landon put it, the four stars were on $10,000 a week up to that time and merely split Adam's share three ways. Roberts' complaint at the time about the quality of the scripts can hardly refer to the ones he was given. This was the fifth (and last) episode centring on him as Adam in the space of 13 weeks screening up to early April 1965 -- and all meaty, dramatic roles. There was a good whimsical episode with him too, facing Henry Jones as a would-be knight-of-old. Dan Blocker as Hoss and Michael Landon as Little Joe meanwhile carried on mainly as the goofballs of the family. Roberts' departure gave them and Lorne Greene more room for drama, though from memory the not-very-well-done meatball episodes continued unrelenting.
I can see why in retrospect Pernell Roberts later regretted leaving "Bonanza" after six series (with seven and a half still to go). As Michael Landon put it, the four stars were on $10,000 a week up to that time and merely split Adam's share three ways. Roberts' complaint at the time about the quality of the scripts can hardly refer to the ones he was given. This was the fifth (and last) episode centring on him as Adam in the space of 13 weeks screening up to early April 1965 -- and all meaty, dramatic roles. There was a good whimsical episode with him too, facing Henry Jones as a would-be knight-of-old. Dan Blocker as Hoss and Michael Landon as Little Joe meanwhile carried on mainly as the goofballs of the family. Roberts' departure gave them and Lorne Greene more room for drama, though from memory the not-very-well-done meatball episodes continued unrelenting.